A Year in Review at 32

I just celebrated another Birthday!

As I get older, it feels like the years get shorter and shorter. I’m sure I’m not the only one that feels this way.

I wasn’t planning on writing a Birthday Post, but then I went back and read this blog post from last year and it made me really excited! Although some things have changed since last year, all the concepts of how I feel still remain, and it was such a great reminder!

This year I want to recap the year and fill you in on 3 additional things I’ve learned this year that I hope will inspire you!

I started the year in July 2015 experiencing a really cool event in Bend called Balloons Over Bend. This is an annual tradition where they light up these huge hot air balloons in the local park. I have always wanted to go on a hot air balloon ride, so this was the next best thing.

We had a lot of family visitors come out from Florida! It has been so much fun showing them around the town we now call home!

My parents even conquered Misery Ridge at Smith Rock State Park when they were here!

The Fall season brought some fun firsts. We got to experience our first Fall foliage and went apple picking for the first time.

In October, we left for our second cross-country roadtrip of the year, and spent 17 days driving and exploring from Oregon to Florida. We took a completely different route from our first cross-country roadtrip, and I still can’t decide which was better. Both experiences were amazing!

In November I gained a new brother when my sister-in-law got married!

and spent Thanksgiving with family in Florida.

At the end of 2015 I unexpectedly accepted a new Audiologist position and started a new adventure in my career. I say unexpectedly because it was not part of my original plan a year ago, but I realized I missed Audiology and it was an experience I couldn’t pass up.

After all the holiday festivities, I started the new year with my new “job” with a trip to Cabo, Mexico. Not a bad way to start!

Wes and I then began our first ski season in Bend, something we were really looking forward to! We bought our first ski gear, skied as much as we could, and enjoyed a visit from some more family for the fun!

I got to stand by my beautiful best friend’s side on her wedding day! A huge highlight of my year, which I unfortunately don’t have any pictures to share.

In April we took another (shorter) roadtrip from Oregon down to Zion National Park and then spent some time in Sedona and the Grand Canyon with Wes’ parents.

This year this website has been one of the best things that has happened to me. I took it one step further by publishing my first book and becoming a certified personal trainer to take my fitness programs to the next level!

Year 31 was even better than I expected! I’ve learned a lot in my 30’s so far and have added to my list from last year with 3 additional things I’ve learned.

1. Plans Change…and it’s OK

Even though you may make plans for you life, things change. You need to learn how to go with the flow.

2. Purpose, People, and Place are the three most important P’s in life

Find your purpose in life and live it out with the people who mean the most, in the place you want to be. I’m still working this one out!

3. If it’s not a “Hell Yes!”, it’s a “NO”.

A lesson my husband shared with me recently that I’m still taking to heart. Don’t settle. If you can’t say “hell yes!” to something then the answer should be no.

Now, it’s your turn! Which year of your life has taught you the most so far?